Nearly three in four attacks occur on private property, which is not covered by the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.

In November MPs debated calls from animal welfare charities and victims of dog attacks for reforms to the Dangerous Dogs Act, after a series of high-profile attacks, including the deaths of several children.

David Bowles, a spokesman for the RSPCA added that the law was “not fit for purpose”.

“If the purpose of the 1991 law was to either get rid of banned breeds or reduce dog bite incidents it has failed on both accounts,” he said.

According to research commissioned by the RSPCA, two in three owners favour licensing because they believe animal welfare will improve.

The 1991 Dangerous Dogs Act seeks to ban particular types of dog based on looks alone.

According to The Guardian, this is the fifth successive year in which admissions to hospital as a result of injuries caused by dogs have risen.

Tax payers are currently picking up two bills. One for the NHS cost in treating injuries caused by dogs and the other to kennel and enforce the 1991 Dangerous Dogs Act which has singularly failed to accomplish any of its stated goals.